Neurons in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (IC) receive excitatory and inhibitory inputs from both lower and higher auditory nuclei. Interaction of these two opposing inputs shapes response properties of IC neurons. In this study, we examine the interaction of excitation and inhibition on the responses of two simultaneously recorded IC neurons using a probe and a masker under forward masking paradigm. We specifically study whether a sound that serves as a probe to elicit responses of one neuron might serve as a masker to suppress...